Setting Free the Kites

For Robert Carter, life in his coastal Maine hometown is comfortably predictable. But in 1976, on his first day of eighth grade, he meets Nathan Tilly, who changes everything. Nathan is confident, fearless, impetuous-and fascinated by kites and flying. Robert and Nathan's budding friendship is forged in the crucible of two family tragedies, and as the boys struggle to come to terms with loss, they take summer jobs at the local rundown amusement park. It's there that Nathan's boundless capacity for optimism threatens to overwhelm them both, and where they learn some harsh truths about family, desire, and revenge. Unforgettable and heart-breaking, Setting Free the Kites is a poignant and moving exploration of the pain, joy, and glories of young friendship.

Opinion

From the critics

Community Activity

Comment

A disappointing book because it lacked the very quality that its title implies. The two protagonists and their respective parents are weighed down by a series of tragedies from which they fail to recover fully and they fall prey to their personal inability to deal effectively with teenage angst. In the end, it's only the kites that are set free, not the boys themselves. Surely there are few topics as depressing to read about as a prolonged illness leading to inevitable death and a hopeless and self-delusional unrequited infatuation.

A sad but achingly good coming of age story. Set in the 70's it has a good nostalgic feel to it. I love books about kids with strong friendships so this was right up my alley. Beautifully written with wonderful characters in Robert and Nathan and strong themes of friendship and grief. Couldn't put it down. Read it in a day.

Set in 1970s Maine, young teens Robert and Nathan share an earnest and honest friendship, forged by loss and hope. This coming-of-age tale is nostalgic without being sentimental and illustrates how grief is nearly always the other side of love. Moving and heartfelt.